Mystery of Hindenburg Air Catastrophe Solved

The LZ-129 Hindenburg, the famous Zeppelin, at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in 1936 (Photograph Source: Wikipedia.org ).

Researchers say they know how the Hindenburg airship came to its fiery end: static electricity.

Seventy-six years ago, the German dirigible was promoted as the future of trans-Atlantic flight, but instead it became the notorious poster child of air disasters.

As the hydrogen-filled blimp was landing in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937, it suddenly burst into flames and crashed in front of shocked bystanders, killing 35 of the 100 passengers and crew on board—and putting an end to the short-lived air travel program.